Radiation Health and Safety Practice Test

Being a dental assistant is tough enough. What if you want to work with radiation in a dental setting? To show that you’re qualified for this difficult work, you’ll need to take the Radiation Health and Safety Exam, which is administered by the Dental Assisting Nursing Board. The test assesses a candidate’s knowledge of radiographic imaging practices. This tough exam has several components, and this guide will walk you through what to expect. Additionally, there are some outstanding study tools that can help you prepare.

FAQ

Q

Are all state requirements for dental assistants the same?

A

No. You should consult with your state licensing board to understand the requirements to be a dental assistant.

Q

How many questions are on the Radiation Health and Safety exam?

A

There are 100 questions on the test.

Q

How long do I have to complete the test?

A

Candidates have 75 minutes to complete the test. In addition to the test time, candidates receive five minutes for tutorial time and another five minutes for comments.

Q

What testing method does the Dental Assisting Nursing Board use?

A

The Dental Assisting Nursing Board uses computer adaptive testing. Candidates start the exam by getting a question at or around the test pass point. If the candidate correctly answers the question, the next one will be a little harder. If the candidate doesn’t get the question correct, the next one will be a little easier.

Q

How is the Radiation Health and Safety Exam scored?

A

Candidates will, on average, get half of the questions correct and the other half incorrect. The test score is based on the difficulty of the correctly answered questions.

Q

What does it cost to take the exam?

A

There is a $250 exam fee.

Q

Are there any eligibility requirements to take the test?

A

No.

Q

Who administers the exam?

A

The Dental Assisting Nursing Board has contracted with a third-party provider that has hundreds of test centers across the United States.

Q

What identification do I need on exam day?

A

You’ll need two forms of identification — a primary and secondary from of ID. Primary identification must contain a photograph and a signature. A driver’s license, passport, or employee, military or school ID are all examples of primary identification. Secondary identification includes a credit, debit, or bank card.

Q

Am I allowed to bring personal items into the test room?

A

No. Candidates are not allowed to bring any personal items into the testing room. Personal items include, but are not limited it, all electronic devices, wallets, purses, books and notes. Personal items must be stored in a locker at the test center.

Q

I need to prepare for the exam. What study materials can help me?

A

Mometrix has excellent study materials that can help you prepare for the Radiation Health and Safety Exam. Our study guide has been prepared by professionals who understand what it takes to prepare for the exam. The study guide contains information on how to solve test problems, study plan details and more. Our flashcards make an excellent study companion. These detailed cards provide easy-to-understand answers to the types of questions candidates are likely to face.

What’s on the Radiation Health and Safety Exam?

There are four “domains,” or content areas, as described below

  • Expose and Evaluate contains four test areas that comprise 26 percent of the exam. The categories are
    • Assessment and preparation
    • Acquire (Techniques to acquire radiographic images)
    • Evaluate (Evaluating radiographic images)
    • Patient management
  • Quality Assurance and Radiology Regulations has two test areas that comprise 21 percent of the exam
    • Quality assurance
    • Radiology regulations
  • Radiation Safety for Patients and Operators is the largest area of the test, with the most domains. There are six, and they comprise 31 percent of the exam
    • Understand American Dental Association guidelines as they relate to patient selection and radiation exposure limitation.
    • Demonstrates the ability to apply radiation protection and hazards when operating radiographic equipment.
    • Understands patient safety measures as they relate to x-radiation.
    • Demonstrates the ability to address radiation concerns with patients
    • Identifies safety measures for operators so they’re protected from x-radiation.
    • Demonstrates the ability to describe techniques for individual x-radiation exposure monitoring.
  • Infection Control has two test areas that comprise 21 percent of all test questions
    • Standard Precautions for Equipment
    • Standard Precautions for Patients and Operators